With the new rookie salary scale, negotiating contracts has become easier than ever.

 

And at least one draft pick is choosing to save the 3 percent commission by doing it himself.

 

According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, Patriots third-rounder Jacoby Brissett has chosen to not hire an agent.

 

Unlike Broncos tackle Russell Okung, Brissett doesn’t have to worry about marketing himself to multiple suitors.

 

And while contracts have become increasingly boilerplate, the third round falls in the strange middle ground where it’s not always just league minimum base salaries and a signing bonus like late-rounders, or the slotted maximums like first-rounders, so there’s some wiggle room.

 

I've often wondered why more players don't do this. Especially in the NBA.

With the new rookie salary scale, negotiating contracts has become easier than ever.

 

And at least one draft pick is choosing to save the 3 percent commission by doing it himself.

 

According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, Patriots third-rounder Jacoby Brissett has chosen to not hire an agent.

 

Unlike Broncos tackle Russell Okung, Brissett doesn’t have to worry about marketing himself to multiple suitors.

 

And while contracts have become increasingly boilerplate, the third round falls in the strange middle ground where it’s not always just league minimum base salaries and a signing bonus like late-rounders, or the slotted maximums like first-rounders, so there’s some wiggle room.

 

I've often wondered why more players don't do this. Especially in the NBA.

 

While it might save you some agent commission, most kids that age haven't even negotiated buying a car, let alone a complicated 6 figure plus contract with a party that may or may not have your best interests at heart. And when you consider the average career is short, it makes sense to have someone there on your side to maximize your value.

While it might save you some agent commission, most kids that age haven't even negotiated buying a car, let alone a complicated 6 figure plus contract with a party that may or may not have your best interests at heart. And when you consider the average career is short, it makes sense to have someone there on your side to maximize your value.

 

I agree.

 

If the commission is only 3% I think any Rookie that doesn't use a competent agent is making a mistake.

 

Now a few years down the road if a player is lucky enough to get a second contract then I would probably be okay with no agent but no way at 3% for a Rook.

I agree.

 

If the commission is only 3% I think any Rookie that doesn't use a competent agent is making a mistake.

 

Now a few years down the road if a player is lucky enough to get a second contract then I would probably be okay with no agent but no way at 3% for a Rook.

I had no idea 3% was the norm. I was always under the assumption it was 10% for some reason.

Here is a great article from last year MMQB discussing the commission and brokering of a rookie deal. The maximum is 3% but sounds like most of the top rookies have even lowered it to 1%.

 

NFL rookie contracts have changed how agents do business with players | The MMQB with Peter King

 

A piece from the article:

 

With this ease of negotiation, players and their advisors are negotiating fees downward before the agents negotiate their contracts. In talking to several top agents, it is clear that few, if any, top picks are paying the maximum 3% due to: 1) the lack of negotiation required; and 2) the downward pressure of the marketplace.

 

One top pick switched to an agent who told the player, “Pay me whatever you think is fair.” And, in the ultimate example of a changed environment, Ereck Flowers, the ninth pick in the draft, is negotiating with the Giants by himself. Were an agent charging Flowers the maximum 3% allowable fee on his predetermined fully guaranteed $14.4 million deal, that fee would be $432,000.

 

I know and appreciate the many services that an agent provides beyond the negotiation of the rookie contract including, but not limited to:

Comprehensive pre-combine (and post-combine) training, fully expensed.

Managing surrounding issues involving the player, his family and friends.

Negotiation of marketing and endorsement agreements.

Providing a credit line of income prior to any earned income.

 

While these services greatly facilitate a rookie’s transition into the NFL, they are disproportionately rendered during a player’s rookie season and players are questioning later payments over the four-year rookie contract.

 

These are difficult business decisions for agents, and there are unintended consequences of this downward market. Agents are now more aggressively seeking trading card and local marketing deals to recapture lost contract commissions.

I wonder if we will see players start negotiating flat fees for an agent to negotiate rookie deals as opposed to percentages. I could see a mid first rounder telling an agent "I will pay you $50 or $100 grand to negotiate my rookie deal". That is still a lot of money and probably in line with what the agent really has to do now.

Kids on top of their game will take the proper classes in college and should never have to have an agent.

Kids on top of their game will take the proper classes in college and should never have to have an agent.

 

The one thing having an agent would be good for though, is to help get endorsements. Players can make a lot of money through endorsements, and agents probably are a good help with that. However I wouldn't be surprised if more players go this route for the draft, or even if agents eventually waive their 3% fee for the initial rookie contract in order to sign the player.

The one thing having an agent would be good for though, is to help get endorsements. Players can make a lot of money through endorsements, and agents probably are a good help with that. However I wouldn't be surprised if more players go this route for the draft, or even if agents eventually waive their 3% fee for the initial rookie contract in order to sign the player.

 

Couldn't the players do their own rookie deal and then hire an agent? It would save the original 3% commission.

 

I've often wondered why more players don't do this. Especially in the NBA.

 

I think I saw something that said Jaylen Brown was probably going this route.

Couldn't the players do their own rookie deal and then hire an agent? It would save the original 3% commission.

 

Exactly you can hire a business manager or agent for endorsements.

I think I saw something that said Jaylen Brown was probably going this route.

Yep, NBA players association will advise him. Smart move.